I keep hearing about the boards used to fold and store fabric, and from what I hear, they're not cheap. Why not use the cardboard that bolts of fabric come on? I've used this for years and never spent a dime on a "board". They're free anywhere that sells fabric. I have closet shelves in my walk-in closet. They're three deep on the back wall and two sides. I have over 400 "bolts" stacked on end in this closet. I sort by color family and can easily "shop" for what I need. My only investment was for the shelves. The cardboards are replaceable for free.
I attached a couple of pics to clarify what I mean.

great job, I love your fabrics organization

I asked for those at Walmart and Joanns but the won't give them away here!

Nice shopping center you have

Can I shop at your shop? I wish I were that organized.

I have seen fabric shops that take the bolts and cut them in half and make mini bolts with the last few yards. They are adorable.

My goodness, you've got your own store!! I like your taste in fabrics, too.

Wow, what a stash you have. I know you have fun shopping there.

My WM and LQS won't part with them. Guess they'd rather send them to the landfill.

That's some stash! Love your fabrics!

Great idea. When I worked at teh LQS, we put them in recycle.

Wow, what a stash, wish it was mine. I've often wondered why the fabric stores would not just give the cardboard away to people who want them. At least they would be getting some further use.

Yep thats what I do, they give them to you for free so they dont have to throw them away. But some say I'm a bit cheap, I like to call it frugal, thrifty,practical, money connoisseur, spending challenged. And maybe a little on the crazy side...LOL

Free is always better

The cardboard bolts are too thick to save space. Using the thin fabric boards you can get three times the amount of fabric on a shelf. I started out using the Wilton cake boards cut in half (works good), went to comic book boards (the cheapest boards ever and do a good job)and then bought the original fabric boards. I've been throwing out the other boards and buying the fabric boards a package at a time. They are worth it.

Love your collection of fabric! I have done the same thing. My Joann's store gives them to you if you want them. I have also cut them in half for the 1/4 yards. It works out nicely.

They told me at both places people put cheap fabric on the boards and try to return it for full price! I asked if the could mark it out but they said they wouldn't do it anymore!

OMG, I want to go shopping in your closet :lol:

I personally don't need any kind of board to sort the little stash I have, I just use my ruler to get a uniform fold and stach so fold is showing, it works well for me for now.

The cardboards are NOT acid free. The cardboard will eventually leech onto fabric and discolor it. They use these at fabric stores because they have a good turnaround for fabric.

Fabric boards ARE acid free, and thinner. They will hold more fabric in less space.

sometimes they offer the "board" to the customer. I also have a long roll from a decorator fabric purchase.

You beat me to it! The coroplast boards are acid free and thin.

The bolts are not the right size for my space and with my hands being so bad, I couldn't even begin to cut them all up. Great idea if you have the right size spot for them though.

I myself just used a 6" X 24" ruler, folded my fabric in half like you get it from the quilt shop, & wrap it around the 6" ruler then I folded it in half again. They stack nice n neat on a shelf too that way. I wonder why they won't give the old bo;ts away? Hmmmm.....

And I almost forgot.... I'll take 3 yds of the blue & 5 yds of the beige that you have! ;o}

None of the fabric stores here will give you the empty bolt boards, not a single solitary one of them. They claim to need them for inventory purposes. I have walked out of Keepsake Quilting with the last 10 yards off a bolt and they wouldn't let me rewind it on the board to take home.

I don't like the skinny flat storage boards at all and store most of my yardage folded flat, but 10 yards is pretty cumbersome to cut when folded instead of wrapped, so I've learned to fan-fold anything over 4 yards. Works just fine for me.

Great storage

Great discussion! Thanks to everyone who posted on this!!!

Looks great, but I don't have the space to waste on boards that are that thick. My closet is packed without any boards!
Also consider -- how long will the fabric be on the board? Most are not acid-free, can stain or deteriorate the fabric if left too long.

Wow! I see a few things that I would buy from your closet too :XD:

Nice, what are your shops hours????? LOL

I just use the ruler fold way and don't use any cardboard; found it took up too much space. I do have 10 yards of muslin on a bolt and I am trying to find a way to fold it without the cardboard and bulk.

If I had three times the amount of fabric that I have, I'd be
bracing up the floor underneath it. Fabric is heavy in quantity. 'Lord knows, I don't want or need more.

I have no need for boards overall as I do not hav emuch bigger then fat quarters. I do have a bout 5 -10 boards with some fabric on it like muslin or if I have several yards and bought the last of the bolt they gave the card board to me. Thanks for letting me know the cardboard is not acid free. I think I will just take the boards out and fold the fabric.

I never heard of returning fabric. Of course I never tried. I figure if I have it cut, it's mine.

Quilt shops use them all the time and even though they may turn the product around quickly, I'm betting it would take many a year for there to be a problem. I've had a few for at least 5 years and had no problem. Ever.

Wow , would love to go shopping in your store! Awesome :thumbup:

Are you having a St. Valentine's Day Sale??!

I agree about the acid from the paper. I'll look for the coroplast at some time probably but I had a piece of plexi cut to 9" so I can wrap the fabbies around it and have a guestimate on the yardage. Use the plexi for the next pretty.

Lordy, I can't believe how much inventory you have!

huh my walmart has no problems giving them to me if i ask